UT Dallas takes seriously its mission to educate students, and alcohol and other drug education is our preferred method by which to address alcohol- and drug-related issues.

UT Dallas Sanctions for Alcohol and Drug Violations

One educational goal is to inform students about alcohol- and drug-related policies and laws and the consequences of violating them. The University will administer the following sanctions, at a minimum, for violations of the Student Code of Conduct related to alcohol and drugs; however, based on the severity of the infraction, as determined by the hearing officer, the University reserves the right to impose any other penalty as deemed appropriate under the circumstances and in accordance with Title V of the UT Dalas Handbook of Operating Procedures.

Drugs
Disciplinary probation and suspension of rights and privileges*, or
Suspension (must see Dean of Students before being readmitted) or
Expulsion

Second Offense — Alcohol
Disciplinary probation
Suspension of rights and privileges as appropriate

Drugs
Suspension or
Expulsion

Third Offense—
Alcohol
Suspension or
Expulsion

Drugs
Expulsion

* Warning and disciplinary probation may include conditions related to the offense, such as counseling, alcohol and drug education, unpaid work assignments, etc.

Suspension of rights and privileges is based upon severity of the infraction as determined by the hearing officer and may include, but is not limited to, prohibition from participation in extracurricular activities, living in campus housing, working on campus, etc.

Texas Law

These are some of the most common law violations and punishments. This list is by no means the only laws that you should concern yourself with regarding alcohol.

Penalties for Providing Alcohol to a Minor

Adults and minors who give alcohol to a minor face a stiff penalty. The punishment for making alcoholic beverages available to a minor is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $4000, confinement in jail for up to a year, or both. Additionally, as of September 1, 2005, the violator will have his or her driver’s licence automatically suspended for 180 days upon conviction.

Also, as of September 1, 2005, persons 21 or older (other than the parent or guardian) can be held liable for damages caused by intoxication of a minor under 18 if the adult knowingly provided alcoholic beverages to a minor or knowingly allowed the minor to be served or provided alcoholic beverages on the premises owned or leased by the adult.

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
The legal limit for intoxication in Texas is .08 blood alcohol concentration (BAC). However, drivers can be stopped and cited for impaired driving due to alcohol or other drugs regardless of BAC. Texas also has a zero tolerance law. For anyone under 21, it is illegal to drive with any detectable amount of alcohol.

What happens if you're stopped? If a law enforcement officer asks you to take a blood or breath test to measure how much alcohol is in your system, you should comply. If you refuse, you are subject to an automatic 180-day driver’s license suspension. Punishment for DWI varies depending on the number of times you've been convicted.

First Offense
Yp to a $2,000 fine
72 hours to 180 days in jail
Driver’s license suspension: 90 days to 1 year

Second Offense
Up to a $4,000 fine
30 days to 1 year in jail
Driver’s license suspension: 180 days to 2 years

Third Offense
Up to a $10,000 fine
2 to 10 years in penitentiary
Driver’s license suspension: 180 days to 2 years

Texas Laws on Underage Drinking

Consumption While Driving It is illegal for a minor to drive while having any detectable amount of alcohol in the minor's system